2024 Gardens
Sunday 27th October, 9am – 4pm
$25 per person (Kids under 16 free)
Purchase tickets at The Hub or Gardens
Join us for a day exploring 6 beautiful gardens (3 in town, 3 out of town) to support Orange Public School. All funds raised go towards school projects like garden upgrades, classrooms and school resources.
The Hub
Located at Orange Public School Infants Site on the Corner Anson and Torpy Street.
Start your day at The Hub from 9am -12pm to buy tickets, grab a garden map, enjoy a coffee and bacon & egg roll, while checking out our plant and merchandise stall before setting off on your garden adventure.
ALISON’S GARDEN
The house was built in 1902 by Anastasia & Felix Renshaw. When I moved here in 1989, the only garden was the beds immediately to the east & north of the house. The wisteria, about 40 years old, is breathtaking when in flower but not recommended for next to a house. It would destroy the verandah posts & guttering if given the chance.
My goal was to have plants in flower 12 months of the year & I also wanted fruit trees. I began by planting trees & shrubs & filled in the gaps as time & money permitted. I have bulbs in flower virtually all year, many winter flowering shrubs & around 40 salvias, most of which flower in summer & autumn. I’ve killed plenty of plants but have now reached the point where I can only squeeze in small perennials & bulbs.
I like rare & unusual plants but have learnt that many plants which thrive in the UK & Tasmania don’t like our summers. However there are two areas which have an English woodland feel in spring, then sleep through summer.
Californian Bungalow on March Street
Urban oasis with a country garden feel – This 1940s double brick bungalow built on land originally dedicated to market gardens, was purchased by the current owners in 2018. In 2020 the property was transformed from a typical urban block into an oasis with a country garden feel with the help of Sally Bourne Landscapes. The garden utilises the use of drought tolerant plantings with soft ethereal forms to create a sheltered & private garden for the owners.
There is a sense of journey and discovery within the garden. The oversized bluestone steppers that surface the entry path create a romantic whimsical feel as you enter. This is softened with pretty ground covers & layered plantings. The stepping stones connect functional and entertainment zones that encourage people to venture out into the sunshine. This garden allows the owners to “bring the outside in” creating a calm and relaxing environment for the whole family.
Sue and Mario’s Tranquil Japanese Garden
Over the past 33 years, Sue and Mario have transformed their backyard from a space filled with greyhound kennels into a serene Japanese-inspired garden. Starting from scratch, they removed the kennels and carefully constructed retaining walls and fencing, setting the foundation for their vision.
Inspired by the tranquillity of Japanese gardens they’ve admired across Australia, Sue and Mario have crafted a peaceful haven that reflects their love for bonsai and meticulously manicured trees. Their garden is a true labour of love, embodying the calm and serene essence of Japanese tradition.
This garden is not just a space but a journey—from a simple backyard to a calming haven that invites you to pause, breathe, and enjoy the art of nature.
MURPHY LANE
8 years ago, this family made the tree change from Sydney to Orange, seeking big skies, a closer connection to nature, and a better quality of life for their children. Upon purchase, the front garden was well-established with agapanthus, English box hedges, and iceberg roses, but the back garden was a blank slate of paddock weed and rocky soil.
With a belief in the psychological benefits of gardening, they transformed the space into a sanctuary for relaxation. Distinct garden rooms, such as the fire pit area and birdwatching bench, provide diverse experiences. Free-ranging chickens fertilise the orchard, while lush kikuyu lawns overlook horses and rural views.
The garden features a mix of formal hedges, country charm, and over 5,000 bulbs gifted by friends, blooming through the seasons. Autumnal trees like maples, plums, and cherries add vibrant colour, and horse manure has transformed the soil into a thriving, worm-filled haven.
Gardening provided therapeutic relief during isolation, with the eastern garden and the ‘COVID lower’ bed planted during lockdown. The vegetable garden, bordered by Pittosporum and a beautiful Malus ioensis, adds a
private retreat.
Influenced by Paul Bangay’s design principles, this garden blends personal style with expert horticulture, creating a beautiful, sustainable space filled with flowering plants like irises, sweet peas, viburnum, roses, and more. This journey reflects the rewards of rural living and the profound well-being that gardening can bring.
Augusta Garden
Robyn and Gerard purchased their 10-acre property in 2020, the house yard was a blank canvas with a few large trees. With a passion for gardening, Robyn, on her fifth garden project, sketched a plan influenced by her favourite designers and the result is a stunning garden featuring over 300 roses, integrated with natives, exotic perennials, and shrubs that thrive in the slightly acidic, clay soil.
A formal terrace and dry creek bed were installed in the front yard, offering a perfect spot to enjoy views of Gaanha Bula / Mt Canobolas. The garden also boasts a frog pond, rose arch, protea border, tropical garden, and extensive rose beds. In the backyard, garden areas with low planting preserve views from the pergola, while children enjoy exploring the mosaic path and vintage truck. The white garden, designed for a family wedding, leads to a grey border and a zen garden with a thyme yoga mat.
In 2023, the Veg Mahal enclosure was built to protect crops from rabbits and rodents, featuring Waterups wicking systems that reduce water usage. All garden beds are equipped with spray irrigation, supported by two water tanks and a bore used sparingly for fire protection.
Named after the Augusta golf course in Georgia, the garden includes a 5-hole practice course designed by Gerard. Over 300 trees were planted, and the paddock is being rewilded with native trees.
Augusta is a labour of love, maintained entirely by Robyn and Gerard, who hope visitors will take a moment to sit and enjoy the views.
Belyarra
The owners moved in six years ago during the heart of winter, leaving behind their sheep and broad-acre farm in Coonamble. This garden, originally cultivated by its founders over 20 years ago, spans nearly two hectares and was thoughtfully planted with a diverse range of species. Since then, it has continued to flourish, growing more beautiful with each passing season. The new owners dedicated themselves to revitalising and reestablishing various areas of the garden, some of which were overrun with blackberry thickets and euphorbia. They have since added new ponds, fruit trees, and a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers, transforming the space into a lush, vibrant oasis. Each season brings its own burst of colour, attracting an array of birdlife—though some are a bit more mischievous than others—and of course, the ever-present rabbits!